Theft proof terminator system for cable TV outlets

ABSTRACT

A terminator system for coaxial cable and the like is comprised of a theft-proof terminator unit and a complementary installation tool coacting with the terminator unit for rapid installation and removal. The terminator unit includes a cylindrical housing, a plug loosely mounted in the housing for rotation relative thereto, a rotary drive member also mounted in the housing in spaced relationship to the plug and adapted for movement into engagement with the plug for imparting rotary motion thereto, and a spring constantly urging the rotary drive member out of driving engagement with the plug. The complementary installation tool is a reusable device including an elongated semicircular mounting member for holding the terminator unit during installation and removal and a drive stem on the terminator mounting member operative for driving the rotary drive member into engagement with the plug against the bias of the spring while the terminator is held by the terminator and for rotatably connecting the plug to the member being terminated.

United States Patent 1 1 Blanchenot John P. Blanchenot, Agincourt, Ontario, Canada [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Hi-G Incorporated, Windsor Locks,

Conn.

22 Filed: Sept. 10, 1973 211 App]. No.: 395,583

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,290,520 l/19l9 Crocker 81/1 R 1,361,975 12/1920 Eichler ct a1, 29/263 2,756,854 7/1956 Brenholts 192/66 X 2,919,739 l/l960 Vocke 70/231 X 3,519,979 7/1970 Bodenstein 339/85 3,573,702 4/1971 O'Keefe 339/37 3,613,751 10/1971 Juhasz 192/150 3,845,454 10/1974 Hayward et al 339/85 1 1 June 17, 1975 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant ExuminerLawrence J. Staab Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Prutzman, Hayes, Kalb & Chilton [57] ABSTRACT A terminator system for coaxial cable and the like is comprised of a theft-proof terminator unit and a complementary installation tool coacting with the terminator unit for rapid installation and removal. The terminator unit includes a cylindrical housing, a plug loosely mounted in the housing for rotation relative thereto, a rotary drive member also mounted in the housing in spaced relationship to the plug and adapted for movement into engagement with the plug for imparting rotary motion thereto, and a spring constantly urging the rotary drive member out of driving engagement with the plug. The complementary installation tool is a reusable device including an elongated semicircular mounting member for holding the terminator unit during installation and removal and a drive stern on the terminator mounting member operative for driving the rotary drive member into engagement with the plug against the bias of the spring while the terminator is held by the terminator and for rotatably connecting the plug to the member being terminated.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 1? I975 m Q Q, Q Q Q a N5 Q H v u 1 THEFT PROOF TERMINATOR SYSTEM FOR CABLE TV OUTLETS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a terminator system for coaxial cables, tap devices or similar outlets. More particularly it relates to a new and improved terminator system for preventing unauthorized use of such members.

In recent years there has been an increased use of cable television services, referred to as CATV, both by single families and in multiple family units such as apartments and the like. Multiple family units generally require far more frequent turn on" and turn off" service and therefore can result in substantial expense to the company if it must either remove or connect substantial quantities of equipment in order to assure that only authorized customers are using the service.

A suitable terminator system for an existing CATV outlet can substantially reduce that expense. However, it has been found that standard terminators used for this purpose have been easily and surreptitiously removed and the occupant has been able to connect his own coaxial line to the existing outlet and thereby received the benefits of the CATV system without pay ment of the commensurate monthly rental.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved theft-proof terminator system for coaxial cable, tap devices and the like that can not be removed easily by unauthorized persons yet at the same time is adapted to rapid and facile installa tion and removal by authorized personnel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved theft-proof terminator system particularly well suited for use in terminating existing CATV outlets and includes a terminator unit that is substantially tamper-proof and a special tool for instal lation and removal of that unit.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a theft-proof terminator system of the type described that is of standardized construction permitting off the shelf delivery yet provides excellent terminating characteristics and is of sturdy, durable yet economical construction.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in more detail hereinafter.

These and related objects are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing a terminator system comprised ofa theft-proof terminator unit and a complementary installation tool coacting with the terminator unit for rapid installation and removal thereof. The terminator unit includes a housing, a plug loosely mounted in the housing for rotation relative thereto, a rotary drive member also mounted in the housing in spaced relationship to the plug and adapted for movement into engagement with the plug for imparting rotary motion thereto, and biasing means urging the rotary drive member out of driving engagement with the plug. The complementary installation tool is a reusable device including a mounting member for holding the terminator unit during its installation and removal and a drive stem on the mounting member operative for driving the rotary drive member into engagement with the plug against the bias of the biasing means and for rotatably connecting the plug to the member being terminated.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relations of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing which set forth an illustrative embodiment and are indicative of the way in which the principles of the invention are employed.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a terminator unit incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa terminator mounting tool used in the installation and removal of the terminator unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view, partly broken away and partly in section, illustrating a terminator system including the terminator unit of FIG. I assembled within the mounting tool of FIG. 2 with the movable parts thereof shown in their respective locations upon initial assembly of the terminator unit on the tool; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the respective locations of the moving parts when the terminator unit is in condition for assembly on the outlet being terminated.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing in greater detail wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the terminator system of the present invention is shown as comprised ofa cylindrical terminator unit 10 and a reusable complementary installation tool 12 for releaseably holding the terminator unit and conditioning it for connection with a coaxial cable outlet, tap device or the like (not shown). The terminator unit 10 is comprised of a terminator plug 14 of cylindrical configuration having a central or intermediate body portion 16 and reduced diameter end portions, 18 and 20. The end portion 18 is provided with a threaded recess 22 for rotatably connecting the terminator unit 10 to the output end ofa coaxial cable of the like. A resistive load such as the resistor 24 is mounted centrally within the plug 14 so that an input lead 26 thereof extends through and beyond the threaded recess 22 and terminates at a point outwardly from the plug 14 for electrical contact with the outlet being terminated. As shown, the resistor 24 is positioned within an axially extending cavity 28 in body portion 16 and end portion 20, the cavity 28 communicating with threaded recess 22. The resistor 24, which in the preferred embodiment has a rating of about ohms, is fixedly retained within the plug 14 in a suitable manner, such as by crimping the reduced diameter portion 30 of plug end 20 about the lead 32.

The terminator plug 10 is mounted within an elongated tubular housing 36 having an annular rearwardly facing shoulder 38 on the interior thereof. The shoulder 38, which is located at the end 40 of the terminator, cooperates with the body portion 16 of plug 14 to limit axial movement of the plug beyond end 40 while simultaneously permitting freedom of rotation between the plug 14 and the housing 36. The innermost end 20 of the plug is further provided with a cone shaped end surface 42 that tapers toward the reduced diameter por tion 30.

A rotary drive member 46 of generally cylindrical configuration having an outwardly extending flange 48 intermediate the ends thereof is mounted adjacent the end 50 of the terminator housing 36 and is retained within the housing by an annular lip 52 on the housing that engages the medial flange 48. A compression spring 54 is mounted on the flange 48 of the rotary drive member 46 and bears against the central body portion 16 of the plug 14 so as to urge the plug and the rotary drive member toward opposite ends of the termi nator housing. In the preferred embodiment of the compression spring is loaded slightly when the terminator unit 10 is in a rest position as shown in FIG. 3 with the plug and the rotary drive member is spaced relationship. The partially loaded spring 54 permits relative rotation among the housing, the plug and drive member so that movement of the housing while the spring is in a relaxed or partially loaded condition will be ineffective to impart corresponding rotary motion to a tightened plug 14 and therefore prevent disconnection thereof from the member being terminated.

The rotary drive member 46 is further provided with a cone shaped, concave surface 56 on the inwardly facing end thereof. In the specific embodiment illustrated the surface 56 is complementary to the cone shaped tapered surface 42 on the plug 14 so that when the rotary drive member 48 is brought into engagement with the plug, full surface driving engagment is obtained between the rotary drive member 48 and the plug 14. As will be appreciated, the surfaces 42 and 56 may be serrated or exhibit a different configuration. However, the cone configuration illustrated is preferred because of the desirable driving engagement achieved therewith. As illustrated, an axially extending recess 58 within member 48 fully accommodates the internal lead 32 of the resistor 24 and the portion 30 of the plug crimped thereon The reusable terminator installation tool 12 of the present invention is comprised of a mounting member 60 for the terminator unit I and a rotary drive stem 62 mounted thereon. The terminator mounting member 60 includes an elongated semicircular main body portion 64 adapted to receive therein the cylindrical housing 36 of the terminator unit and a relatively thick, generally circular base 66 at one end thereof. The free end of the semicircular body protion 64 is provided with an internal, rearwardly facing shoulder 68 forming a rim for cooperative, retentive engagement with an external shoulder 70 adjacent end 40 of the ter minator housing. The main body portion 64 of the mounting unit 60 is provided with a second internal retentive shoulder 72 spaced from the shoulder 68 by a distance slightly greater than the total length of the terminator housing 36 and generally facing toward shoulder 68. Thus, the terminator unit 10 can be simply placed within the semicircular body portion 64 of the tool 12 and is loosely retained therein between the shoulders 68 and 72. The relatively thick circular base 66 of mount 60 is provided with a threaded aperture 74 for receiving the threaded portion 76 of drive stem 62. The drive stem is threaded along a substantial portion of its length and is provided with a hexagonal plug 78 for mounting a suitable handle 80.

Thus. as will be appreciated, the terminator unit can be easily and rapidly installed by simply placing the unit 10 within the semicircular main body 64 of the mounting tool 60 so that the components are in the positions shown in FIG. 3. The drive stem 62 is then advanced through the threaded aperture 74 in the support base 66 until it comes into contact with the rotary drive member 46. Continued advancement of the drive stem 62 will effect axial movement of the rotary drive member 46 within the housing 36 against the bias of compression spring 53. When the cone shaped drive surface 56 on the rotary drive member 46 comes into contact with the complementary cone shaped surface 42 on the plug 14, the central body portion 16 of the plug is driven into firm locking engagement with the internal shoulder 38 of the housing 36 and the housing is in turn driven into locking engagement with the retaining shoulder 68 of the semicircular terminator mount 60. The entire system is now in condition for mounting on the outlet of a coaxial cable or the like and is threadably mounted thereon by means of the threaded recess 22 of the plug 14. Since all members of the terminator unit I0 have been driven into intimate contact with each other and with the mounting member 60, continued rotation of the stem 62 will cause rotation of the entire assembly as a unit and will permit the plug I4 to be tightly threaded onto the coaxial cable outlet for firm retention thereon. As will be appreciated, the drive force of stem 62 is transmitted principly through the driving surface 56 to the plug 14 by means of the cooperate interengagement of surfaces 56, 42.

After the terminator unit has been tightly affixed to a coaxial cable outlet or similar member being terminated, the drive stem 62 is reversibly rotated permitting the compression spring 54 to immediately drive the rotary drive member 48 rearwardly causing separation of the surfaces 56, 42. Continued withdrawal of the stem 62 will return the assembly to the condition shown in FIG. 3 where the terminator mount can be readily released from the terminator unit 10. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the rotary drive member 46 is also provided with a threaded portion which projects outwardly from the retaining annular lip 52 of the terminator housing so that the terminator can be connected to the cable formerly connected to the coaxial cable being terminated, thus providing a deadend storage facility for the disconnected member.

As will be appreciated, the terminator unit permits free rotation of the terminator housing relative to the tightened plug 14 so that any attempt to remove the terminator unit by unauthorized personnel will meet with failure. Additionally, the compression spring 54 is of sufficient strength to prevent the insertion of a screwdriver into the terminator unit 10 and the application of suffieient pressure to effect removal of the plug from the coaxial cable outlet.

When the terminator unit is to be removed the procedure is reversed. The tool 12 is simply mounted on the unit 10 and the drive stem 62 advanced until the assembly assumes the position shown in FIG. 4. The mount is rotated to release plug 14 from the member formerly terminated while the stem retains contact between surfaces 56, 42.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations, and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the teaching of the present invention.

I claim:

1. An electrical terminator system for preventing unauthorized connection to coaxial cable, tap devices and similar electrical terminals comprising an electrical terminator unit and a complementary installation tool coacting with the electrical terminator unit for rapid installation and removal thereof, said electrical terminator unit including a housing, a plug loosely mounted in the housing adjacent one end thereof for rotation relative thereto, said plug including a resistive load and having rotary connecting means for connection to a terminal being terminated. a rotary drive member mounted in the housing in spaced relationship to said plug and adapted for movement toward said one end into engagement with said plug for imparting rotary motion thereto to connect the plug to said terminal and biasing means urging said rotary drive member out of driving engagement with said plug, said installation tool including a terminator mount cooperating with said terminator housing and holding the terminator unit and a drive stem on the terminator mount operative for driving said rotary drive member toward said one end into engagement with said plug against the bias of said biasing means while the terminator unit is held by the mount.

2. The electrical terminator system of claim 1 wherein said housing includes plug retaining means limiting axial movement of the plug toward said one end, said plug and said rotary drive member having complementary drive surfaces movable into engagement for effecting a transfer of rotary driving motion therebetween for installing and removing said terminator unit.

3. The electrical terminator system of claim 1 wherein said terminator housing is a generally cylindrical member with the rotary drive member mounted therein for axial movement therealong, said terminator mount including means for restraining the terminator housing against axial movement, said drive stem on the terminator mount axially urging the terminator unit toward said restraining means for firm retention thereof by the mount duirng installation and removal thereof.

4. The electrical terminator system of claim 1 wherein said housing is a cylindrical member having means for retaining said plug and said rotary drive member therein for axial movement relative thereto, said plug and said rotary drive member having confronting drive surfaces axially aligned for converging interengagement in response to movement of the drive stern relative to said mount.

5. The electrical terminator system of claim 4 wherein said plug includes a resistive load for connection to the member being terminated, said biasing means is a compression spring and said confronting drive surfaces form a cone clutch drive connection therebetween.

6. The electrical terminator system of claim I wherein said terminator unit is generally cylindrical and said terminator mount is an elongated semicircular member adapted to receive said cylinder, said mount including a drive stem support on one end thereof.

7. The electrical terminator system of claim 6 wherein the terminator mount threadably supports said drive stem for axial advancement and retraction.

8. An electrical terminator for preventing unauthorized connection to coaxial cable, tap devices and similar electric terminals comprising a housing, an electrical terminator plug loosely mounted in the housing for rotation relative thereto, said plug including a resistive load and having rotary connection means for connection to a terminal being terminated, a rotary drive member mounted in the housing in spaced relationship with said plug and adapted for movement into engagement with said plug for imparting rotary motion thereto to connect the plug to the terminal being terminated and biasing means urging said drive member out of driving engagement with said plugv 9. The electrical terminator of claim 8 wherein said housing in an elongated member and includes plug re taining means limiting axial movement of the plug toward one end thereof, said plug and said rotary drive member having complementary drive surfaces movable into engagement for effecting a transfer of rotary driving motion therebetween for installing and removing said terminator unit.

10. The electrical terminator of claim 8 wherein said housing is a cylindrical member having means for retaining said plug and said rotary drive member therein for axial movement relative thereto, said plug and said rotary drive member having confronting drive surfaces axially aligned for converging interengagement in response to axial movement of the rotary drive member against the bias of said biasing means.

11. The terminator of claim 10 wherein said biasing means is a compression spring and said confronting drive surfaces form a cone clutch drive connection therebetween.

PATENT NO.

DATED iNVENTORiS) Column [SEAL] UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3,890,028 June 17, 1975 John P. Blanchenot it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: Abstract, line 19, the word "mount" should be inserted after --terminator.

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line

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8, the word "of" should be deleted.

11, the word "is" should be -in-.

43, the word "protion" should be --portion--.

4, the number "53" should be --54.

35, the word "duirng" should be -during--.

26, the word "in" should be -is-.

Signed and Scaled this A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner uj'Parents and Trademarks 

1. An electrical terminator system for preventing unauthorized connection to coaxial cable, tap devices and similar electrical terminals comprising an electrical terminator unit and a complementary installation tool coacting with the electrical terminator unit for rapid installation and removal thereof, said electrical terminator unit including a housing, a plug loosely mounted in the housing adjacent one end thereof for rotation relative thereto, said plug including a resistive load and having rotary connecting means for connection to a terminal being terminated, a rotary drive member mounted in the housing in spaced relationship to said plug and adapted for movement toward said one end into engagement with said plug for imparting rotary motion thereto to connect the plug to said terminal and biasing means urging said rotary drive member out of driving engAgement with said plug, said installation tool including a terminator mount cooperating with said terminator housing and holding the terminator unit and a drive stem on the terminator mount operative for driving said rotary drive member toward said one end into engagement with said plug against the bias of said biasing means while the terminator unit is held by the mount.
 2. The electrical terminator system of claim 1 wherein said housing includes plug retaining means limiting axial movement of the plug toward said one end, said plug and said rotary drive member having complementary drive surfaces movable into engagement for effecting a transfer of rotary driving motion therebetween for installing and removing said terminator unit.
 3. The electrical terminator system of claim 1 wherein said terminator housing is a generally cylindrical member with the rotary drive member mounted therein for axial movement therealong, said terminator mount including means for restraining the terminator housing against axial movement, said drive stem on the terminator mount axially urging the terminator unit toward said restraining means for firm retention thereof by the mount duirng installation and removal thereof.
 4. The electrical terminator system of claim 1 wherein said housing is a cylindrical member having means for retaining said plug and said rotary drive member therein for axial movement relative thereto, said plug and said rotary drive member having confronting drive surfaces axially aligned for converging interengagement in response to movement of the drive stem relative to said mount.
 5. The electrical terminator system of claim 4 wherein said plug includes a resistive load for connection to the member being terminated, said biasing means is a compression spring and said confronting drive surfaces form a cone clutch drive connection therebetween.
 6. The electrical terminator system of claim 1 wherein said terminator unit is generally cylindrical and said terminator mount is an elongated semicircular member adapted to receive said cylinder, said mount including a drive stem support on one end thereof.
 7. The electrical terminator system of claim 6 wherein the terminator mount threadably supports said drive stem for axial advancement and retraction.
 8. An electrical terminator for preventing unauthorized connection to coaxial cable, tap devices and similar electric terminals comprising a housing, an electrical terminator plug loosely mounted in the housing for rotation relative thereto, said plug including a resistive load and having rotary connection means for connection to a terminal being terminated, a rotary drive member mounted in the housing in spaced relationship with said plug and adapted for movement into engagement with said plug for imparting rotary motion thereto to connect the plug to the terminal being terminated and biasing means urging said drive member out of driving engagement with said plug.
 9. The electrical terminator of claim 8 wherein said housing in an elongated member and includes plug retaining means limiting axial movement of the plug toward one end thereof, said plug and said rotary drive member having complementary drive surfaces movable into engagement for effecting a transfer of rotary driving motion therebetween for installing and removing said terminator unit.
 10. The electrical terminator of claim 8 wherein said housing is a cylindrical member having means for retaining said plug and said rotary drive member therein for axial movement relative thereto, said plug and said rotary drive member having confronting drive surfaces axially aligned for converging interengagement in response to axial movement of the rotary drive member against the bias of said biasing means.
 11. The terminator of claim 10 wherein said biasing means is a compression spring and said confronting drive surfaces form a cone clutch drive connection therebetween. 